Uncle John Turner: 1944-2007
A message from Johnny and Susan Winter: "Rest in peace, good friend. You will forever be in our hearts and prayers."
Legendary Texas Blues Drummer Dies at 62
B.B King once exclaimed, "Man, I can set my watch to your time!"
"Uncle John" Turner died Thursday, July 26th, in Austin, Texas from complications related to hepatitis C. He was 62 years old.
Born in Port Arthur, Texas, Uncle John was a childhood friend and bandmate of Johnny Winter. While playing drums with Winter in 1968, Turner convinced him to try a full-blown blues band format and sent for his friend Tommy Shannon to play bass. Success quickly followed, and the trio went on to record what many consider to be three of Johnny's finest albums: The Progressive Blues Experiment, Johnny Winter and Second Winter. With fourth member Edgar Winter, they played Woodstock in 1969, as well as numerous other festivals and shows around the world.